1,000 sign the pledge

DOZENS of businesswomen from the north west have pledged to become ambassadors to encourage more female entrepreneurs. They have signed up to a national initiative prompted by a call from former industry and regions minister Margaret Hodge in February.

DOZENS of businesswomen from the north west have pledged to become ambassadors to encourage more female entrepreneurs.

They have signed up to a national initiative prompted by a call from former industry and regions minister Margaret Hodge in February.

She announced that 1,000 businesswomen would be sought as Women's Enterprise Ambassadors across the country to help and inspire more females to start their own ventures.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency , which is spearheading the campaign in the region, held an event which attracted more than 70 to the cause. NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: "Women are drastically under-represented in the business world, both in terms of occupying top jobs and when it comes to owning and operating their own businesses.

"We are hoping that with a little support and encouragement, we can really get women thinking about enterprise and address the business gender imbalance."

If you would like to be considered as a women's ambassador, call 01925 400495.